Water has a high specific heat. How does this high specific heat of water account for the moderate temperatures of coastal cities?

The high heat capacity of the water is the property of water which is caused by the hydrogen bonding in between the molecules of water. When the heat energy is absorbed, these bonds between the molecules are broken and the water molecules move freely.

Thus, water store a large amount of heat energy which corresponds to high heat capacity.

Water has the highest value of the specific heat capacity when compared to any other liquid.

It means that water takes long time for heat as well as long time for cool.

Such resistance to the sudden temperature changes makes the liquid, water an excellent habitat and thus this property accounts for moderate temperatures of the coastal cities.